STAR WARS
Episode III
FATE AND DESTINY
By George Lucas and Jonathan Hales
Revised Draft
September 19, 2002
LUCASFILM LTD.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title. War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowly crawls into infinity:
The Clone Wars are coming to an end. With vast military powers granted to the Supreme Chancellor, assisted by the powerful Jedi Order, the Republic has nearly secured a victory over the Seperatists, lead by the nefarious Count Dooku of Serreno.
The war has depleted the Jedi ranks. There is a sense of foreboding among the survivors, but the future remains clouded and uncertain, though two Jedi, Knight Anakin Skywalker and Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, see hope in the coming victory. Meanwhile, the enemy resorts to ever-more desperate measures as their time comes to an end…
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A Trade Federation battleship sits at far distance in the black void. A squadron of TIE fighters roars by, lead by an advanced TIE with quadruple triangular solar panels. It’s the ship of Anakin Skywalker – an advanced prototype so powerful it can only be piloted by the most skilled.
INT. SKYWALKER’S TIE
Anakin is dressed in the black flightsuit, his head bare save a microphone interface. His hair is short-clipped, and he is deadly serious, though somewhat tired, as he heads into battle.
ANAKIN: Shadow Squadron, enemy battleship, twelve o’clock low. Attack!
He noses his ship down, and the battleship fills the windscreen as his engine readouts redline and his engine roar. His HUD tracks incoming droid fighters.
INT. TIE COCKPIT
A black-clad pilot adjusts his controls and dives in.
PILOT: Hey Colonel Skywalker, what’s the plan?
INT. ANAKIN’S SHIP
ANAKIN: Let’s make a pass to test their defenses, then I’ll know what to do.
EXT. SHADOW SQUADRON
Anakin’s ship pulls away from the other TIEs. Its afterburners glow blue exhaust as he takes point. The sky around Anakin’s advanced TIE explodes with laser fire and flack bursts.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION SHIP BRIDGE
On the Bridge stands NEWT GUNRAY, Trade Federation Viceroy. He watches the incoming fighters through the large windows.
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: Viceroy, we’re under attack from Republic Fighters!
GUNRAY: We can defend against a few fighters. This is a battleship.
On the bridge captain’s armrest console is an image of Anakin’s distinctive TIE. He hits a button and the image is projected by the main hologram.
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: It’s Skywalker’s Shadow Squadron!
GUNRAY: What? The Jedi? Here? Not again!
Anakin’s ship comes straight at the bridge, gunfire erupting from its cannons. The lasers smash into the deflector shield immediately outside the bridge, filling the bridge with flashes of red explosions. GUNRAY ducks for cover.
EXT. TRADE FEDERATION SHIP BRIDGE
Anakin’s ship, flying upside down to the battleship, drills the bridge shields with gunfire. He noses down at the last second, going up and coming impossible close to slamming into the upper curve of the shield wrapping over the bridge.
INT. BATTLESHIP BRIDGE
The onslaught over, GUNRAY is picking himself up when he looks to see the whole of Shadow Squadron, in a perfect V formation, blast the bridge as they race by.
INT. ANAKIN’S SHIP
The battleship grows distant behind him as his fighters clear the bridge.
SKYWALKER: Lure the droid fighters away from the battleship. If they try to retreat, use your heat seekers to take ‘em out.
INT. TIE FIGHTER
PILOT: Yes sir.
EXT. SPACE
The fighters reach a point in space, and then split up, each turning on a different vector. Shadow and red lasers slash at each other as they confront the pursuing squadrons of droid ships, blasting the robots out of the sky. It’s a veritable slaughter, though a couple TIEs take hits. Soon, the sky is cleared of active droids. All that remains is sizzling, crippled droid ships, and pieces of debris. Some retreat back toward the battleship.
INT. ANAKIN’S SHIP:
He turns toward the battleship. Droid fighters are making a run for the capital ship’s protective cover. Anakin locks on to a trio and fires his missiles. They pursue the fleeing ships and destroy them.
ANAKIN: Concentrate fire on the main deflector shield projector!
The fighters assault the battleship again, this time blasting away at a large, octagonal shield projector. Two by two, they pour fire into it, then zip by, bravely rolling through the battleship’s protective fire. Finally, Anakin is the last to hit the shield.
INT. ANAKIN’S SHIP
As he blasts away at the deflector shield, its shield status drops on a targeting monitor. Anakin is on a kamikaze course.
INT. TIE FIGHTER
A pilot watches his commander’s madness.
PILOT: “Colonel, pull up!”
EXT. SPACE
Anakin is obsessed, target fixated.
INT. ANAKIN’S SHIP
He’s either crazy, or he knows what he’s doing.
EXT. SPACE
The shield generator explodes, less than a second before Anakin’s advanced TIE shoots through the fireball, emerging charred, but undamaged on the other side.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION SHIP BRIDGE
The TIEs are regrouping. The bridge captain watches on the displays as their shields drop.
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: Viceroy, we’ve lost our deflector shield!
GUNRAY: We must think of something! Tell them we surrender.
INT. ANAKIN’S SHIP
NEWT GUNRAY himself appears on the display.
GUNRAY: This is the captain. We offer our unconditional surrender.
ANAKIN: Good, you can see that you’re outmatched. Stand down and prepare to be boarded.
EXT. SPACE
Anakin’s TIE turns around. The gunfire has ceased.
ANAKIN: Tarkin, Marax, follow me in. The rest of you hold CAP.
Two TIES follow Anakin into the airless hangar of the ship. A pair of droids don’t get out of the way quick enough, and are smashed as Anakin brings his TIE to a screeching halt.
INT. ANAKIN’S SHIP
Outside his windscreen is the same scene he’s seen before, when he destroyed his first battleship while piloting a Naboo starfighter. Droids mill about, and beyond them, the main reactor chamber.
Anakin pulls something up from the floor. A black exospheric breathing mask and helmet. Functional, but ominous. He adjusts the breathing regulator, and when he has a good flow, opens the cockpit and steps into the void.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION SHIP HANGAR
Tarkin and Marax emerge from their ships. A droid approaches the trio.
DROID: I am to take you to the Viceroy.
ANAKIN: Do so quickly.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION BRIDGE
GUNRAY and a lieutenant stand near the open blast doors.
LIEUTENANT: Will this plan work, sir?
GUNRAY: Without their leader, the squadron will be nothing. Bridge captain! Is the shield generator repaired?
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: They’re working sir. Two minutes.
EXT. SPACE
On the exterior of the battleship, astrodroids are hurriedly building an auxiliary shield generator.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION SHIP HALLWAY
Anakin, Marax and Tarkin follow the droid. Marax and Tarkin are armed. Anakin’s saber is on his belt. They remove their helmets. Tarkin is a severe-looking, young, martial, aristocratic man. Marax is a beautiful woman, but with battle scars etched into the left side of her face.
TARKIN: Sir, do you really think we’re going to take this ship by ourselves? Shouldn’t we call for backup?
ANAKIN: No, Captain Tarkin. I feel the presence of the Viceroy himself. I want to deal with him, personally.
TARKIN: The Viceroy himself?
MARAX: I’ve dreamt of this day since the war started.
Tarkin doesn’t seem so confident, but he is loyal.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION BRIDGE
Gunray and his lieutenant stand just inside the door as the warriors approach.
The bridge captain’s console indicates that the shield generator has been restored.
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: Repairs complete!
Anakin and his escorts are almost at the door.
ANAKIN: Viceroy! It’s time to account for your treason.
GUNRAY: Another time, Jedi scum.
The blast doors slam down, leaving the trio in the hallway. From both sides, droidekas and super battle droids emerge from auxiliary rooms.
ANAKIN: Lay fire there, I’ll cover you this side!
His lightsaber ignites as Marax and Tarkin take cover behind supports along the bulkhead. They aim in one direction and unload with their automatics as the droids activate their shields and start blazing away.
Anakin rushes the unfolding droids on his side. In a flash, he’s among the droids, slashing and cutting. The droidekas are packed too close together. One tracks Anakin and fires, but misses as Anakin runs, flips off the wall, cutting a droid as he spins in midair. The first droideka blasts its partner to pieces with the errant fire.
Taking cover as Marax fires, Tarkin sets an EMP grenade and tosses it at the droids on his side. It explodes, and disabling lightning crackles around the room. The droid’s shields drop, and the humans blaze away at them, knocking them to pieces with accurate auto-fire. Marax reloads and emerges, fires, and is hit. She goes flying as Tarkin finishes off the last droids on his side. He drops to Marax’ side.
Anakin impales the last super battle droid, then comes to Tarkin.
Tarkin looks up at him, solemn.
TARKIN: She’s gone, sir.
Anakin, furious, starts cutting into the blast door.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION SHIP BRIDGE
Gunray and the others watch the action outside on a display.
GUNRAY: More droids!
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: We only have one squad left, sir!
The interior of the blast door is falling apart as Anakin burns the metal down.
EXT. SPACE
The TIEs fly overhead. Suddenly, the battleship’s guns open fire.
INT. TIE FIGHTER
PILOT: What? The shields are back up!
INT. 2nd TIE FIGHTER
PILOT: What happened to Colonel Skywalker?
INT. TRADE FEDERATION HALLWAY
Anakin can barely stand the heat of the melting steel. A last squad of droids emerges into the hallway.
TARKIN: Sir!
ANAKIN turns part way, but keeps burning the door down. The droids open fire, and still Anakin stands. He extends a hand to the droids, and concentrates on the Force. Blaster fire smashes the doors around him in a shower of sparks and spray. The shots that would hit Anakin he stops with the open palm of his mechanical hand. Using the Force, and through intense concentration, he simply disintegrates the bolts just before they his palm. Tarkin fires from behind cover. The intense fire is too much, and his hand is hit. Anakin recoils in pain. Furious, he pulls his saber from the door and turns to the droids. Lightning rains from his extended hand, filling the hallway, short-circuiting the droids and causing them to drop and explode. Smoke pours down the hallway.
Anakin, nearly spent, turns to the door. With a couple more slashes, there’s a gap through into the bridge.
Tarkin is stunned.
TARKIN: God of War! How did you do that?
ANAKIN: The Force is a powerful ally.
He dives through the narrow gap with perfect precision.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION BRIDGE
Anakin somersaults and stands. With a force push, he activates the broken door. It opens enough for Tarkin to squat and come through as Anakin dispatches the few droids left to protect the Viceroy.
The droids destroyed, Anakin turns to the Viceroy.
GUNRAY: Now, I can see I’m outmatched. I truly surrender. Arrest me.
ANAKIN: It’s too late for that.
GUNRAY: What? You can’t –
In one swift move, Anakin cuts him down and holsters his saber. He turns to the bridge captain.
ANAKIN: This ship is under Republic control. You will obey my orders now.
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: Yes sir.
ANAKIN: Drop your shields and cease-fire.
Anakin picks up his comlink.
ANAKIN: Shadow Leader to Shadow Squadron. We’re in control of the ship. Setting a course for rendezvous with our carrier.
INT. TIE FIGHTER
PILOT: Woo-hoo!
INT. TRADE FEDERATION SHIP BRIDGE
Stars swirl across the window as the ship changes course. Anakin steps by the fallen Viceroy, and joins Tarkin by Marax. Anakin kneels by her and closes her eyes.
TARKIN: She fought well, sir.
ANAKIN: How many people have to die in this stupid war? Thankfully, it’s almost over.
TARKIN: Among the Seperatist leaders, only Count Dooku survives.
Anakin glances at the fallen Viceroy.
ANAKIN: We’ll bring justice to him as well.
EXT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER INTREPID
The massive, wedge-shaped republic destroyer seems to sit still in space as the captured Trade Federation battleship looms closer. Shadow Squadron flies from the battleship to the Republic Destroyer.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER HANGAR
Anakin’s TIE docks. Two technicians, one an older veteran, one a young novice, make sure the TIE docked well, and start droids working on it.
ANAKIN opens the hatch and pulls out.
VETERAN: Welcome back, sir.
ANAKIN merely nods. He’s distant and tired.
VETERAN: Admiral Aldan wants you on the bridge. I’m glad you made it back.
ANAKIN remembers himself, and offers a smile.
ANAKIN: Thanks.
ANAKIN leaves the technicians to their work.
YOUNG TECHNICIAN: I’ve never seen a TIE like this.
VETERAN: This is Colonel Skywalker’s advanced TIE. He’s the only pilot that can handle it.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER BRIDGE
Admiral Aldan, a tall Mon Calamari, stands on the bridge with an aide, watching the closing Trade Federation ship through the windows. As Anakin walks in, the whole bridge crew stands and cheers. Anakin barely nods, and reports to Admiral Aldan.
ANAKIN: You need me, sir?
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Colonel Skywalker! Excellent job!
ANAKIN: I know when I do good sir, thank you. But my pilots did all the work – and some paid the price.
ADMIRAL ALDAN: And the Viceroy?
ANAKIN: He died during our assault on his bridge.
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Unfortunate, that we didn’t take him alive.
ANAKIN: Why? So he can be tried again and let free thanks to corrupt politics? Now his antics are finished for good.
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Quite true. I have sad news, Skywalker, though it will be good for you, no doubt. You and I must part ways. The Supreme Chancellor himself has requested you as a bodyguard.
ANAKIN: Chancellor Palpatine? I can’t go to Coruscant. My squadron needs me here.
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Captain Tarkin will assume control of Shadow Squadron. You will assume control of the Chancellor’s security, effective immediately.
ANAKIN: Yes, sir. I just have to collect my things and say goodbye to my squadron.
INT. PILOT QUARTERS
It’s Spartan, with stacked rows of bunks and sleep pods. Most of the pilots are human, but there is a hodge-podge of humanoid species, as well. Anakin packs his stuff in a bag. His friends stand nearby. Breks, a young Bothan, is eager to help.
BREKS: Sir, do you need help?
ANAKIN: I’ve got it, thanks Breks.
BREKS: I can’t believe you’re leaving.
Antilak, a Sallustan, approaches Anakin.
ANTILAK: You’ve been here two years, Colonel, and you never showed me any life saver tricks.
Anakin is bemused. He likes his pilots, and they’ve been his family for a couple years now.
ANAKIN: Light saber. And I told you, ‘Lak, if you see my light saber, it might by the last thing you ever see.
BREKS: Come on, sir. We’ll probably never see you again.
ANAKIN continues packing, but he’s in a good mood. He finishes packing and slings his bag over his shoulder. He turns, serious now.
ANAKIN: A Jedi does not use the Force for entertainment. And he only uses his saber for defense.
His friends are used to this answer.
BREKS: OK.
ANAKIN: But you’re right, I did promise I’d show you sometime. If you really want to see what my saber can do.
In a snap-flash of light, Anakin ignites the saber and swings twice, before anyone can move. The saber is closed and on his belt before anyone even knew it was ignited. The Bothan blinks as his top knot and beard fall from his head. The pilots are stunned, and then explode with laughter. Anakin works through a party of hugs and handshakes as he leaves the room.
EXT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER
Anakin’s TIE explodes out of the hangar, turns, flashes out into space, and bursts into hyperspace.
EXT. DEEP ABOREAL WOODS, PLANET MAHORA
An alien forest. Light on this planet comes from a white star, and what little light filters through the canopy does little to illuminate the forest floor. Life is abundant here, at the feet of the great trees.
Sitting alone, eyes closed in meditation, is a figure dressed in plasteel armor, with only his head bare, and his helmet and gear nearby. General Obi-Wan Kenobi has a moment alone, and is using it to commune with the Force. His hair and beard are close-cropped to increase comfort when he’s wearing his command helmet – an instrument vital for communications with his troops.
For now, though, he is trying to forget his position in the war, and bring himself into a unison of body, mind, spirit, and Force.
We fade into Obi’s visions. Old friends does he see. It’s dreamlike and echoing. We see a very young Obi-Wan, as a padawan, sitting in meditation with Qui-Gon Jinn. They’re in a natural setting not unlike the one Obi’s using now. Jinn is calm as he instructs his student.
QUI-GON: When there is no emotion, there is peace. When there is no ignorance, there is knowledge. When there is no passion, there is serenity. There is no death – only seasons of life through the Force.
The vision changes, and Obi-Wan is sitting in his armor. He calmly opens his eyes, to see Qui-Gon Jinn sitting, real as life, on a rock before him. Obi-Wan’s expression doesn’t change. Whether it’s a vision or reality, he doesn’t seem to care.
KENOBI: Am I seeing the past, Master?
JINN: No. And the time is long past for you to call me Master. We are equals in the Force.
KENOBI: Where are you?
JINN: Now, I am nearly one with the Force. Much more so than you are now. I have grown more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
As they speak, a Mahoran dollock, a small, rabbit-like creature, limps to Obi-Wan, and crawls into his lap. Obi-Wan gently lays a hand on the dollock. With his hand resting on the creature, it goes into a deep sleep.
KENOBI: Then, there is no death. Only seasons of life.
JINN: Why are you engaging in this war, Obi-Wan? The Force can only be used for knowledge and defense.
KENOBI: The Force to my generalship. These are difficult times, Ma –
JINN: Difficult times? Ha. Politics, governments, individual desires, all of these are inconsequential. The Jedi should stand alone, above the murky morality of war and fighting.
KENOBI: The war is nearly over, Qui-Gon.
JINN: No, Obi-Wan. No, Jedi Knight. It has only begun. I have come only to warn you of the perils that lie ahead. Engaging in this war has brought both you and Anakin dangerously close to the Dark Side of the Force. Be wary, for soon, you will be tested as never before. But you must listen to the will of the Living Force. Do not give into your emotions. Never give in to hate. May the Force be with you…
Qui-Gon Jinn disappears. Obi-Wan suddenly looks as though he’s awakened from a daze. He looks at the dollock is in his lap. It awakens, stretches its healed leg, and bounces happily away. The sound of an approaching speeder bike sounds the end of Obi-Wan’s solace. He stands.
A speeder bike with a clone trooper scout stops at Obi-Wan.
SCOUT: Sir, sorry to disturb you, but all is set. Our forces are in position for the final push.
Kenobi is distant.
SCOUT: Are you all right, sir?
KENOBI: Yes, lieutenant. Thank you.
Obi-Wan picks up his things and mounts a speeder bike parked nearby. Together, the two race off. Soon, they come into a clearing on the edge of a precipice. There is a command post assembled here. In the open plain at over which the precipice looks is a massive droid army cresting over the horizon, coming toward them. There are no clone troopers in sight.
Obi-Wan takes his post at a camouflage-covered compute display manned by a squad of clone troopers. They punch up large holographic displays detailing the battlefield before them, unit dispositions, even the planet itself, with Republic spacecraft overhead.
CLONE OFFICER: All forces are in position, sir.
KENOBI: Are all ground forces over the horizon, to the East, where the sun sets here?
CLONE OFFICER: Yes sir.
The sun is nearly setting. One has to squint to see in that direction. The army below them advances.
EXT. MAHORAN PLAIN
The droid army is massive. All manner of mechs and foot soldiers march toward the cliffs atop which General Kenobi and his men stand, seemingly defenseless. Are forces zoom out. As they approach the cliffs, Republic fighters and clone ships fly at them. The air battle is on. Flaming debris reigns down on the ground forces.
EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER MAHORA
A bevy of Republic ships is in position, high above the battlefield as the planet moves into dusk.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER BRIDGE
Admiral Aldan is in command. A communications officer stands up from his work station.
COM. OFFICER: Admiral, General Kenobi is requesting fire support.
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Fire on his command.
EXT. COMMAND POST
The com. officer appears as a holograph.
COM. OFFICER: Fire support ready, sir.
Kenobi turns to the clone officer.
KENOBI: Upload targeting schema and fire for effect.
CLONE OFFICER: Yes sir.
EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER MAHORA
The ships rotate their weapons toward the planet surface and open fire.
EXT. MAHORAN PLAINS
The sky is just darkening. The only light is from the brilliant sunset. Fire from the Republic ships smashes down, indiscriminately blowing up droids.
EXT. DROID COMMAND VEHICLE
A droid captain and his two lieutenants ride in an open-top command vehicle. The droid captain turns to a lieutenant.
DROID CAPTAIN: Engage shields and counter fire.
DROID LIEUTENANT: Yes, sir.
From the backs of huge tracked vehicles, AN-48 Mobile Shield Generators, massive bombardment shields spring to life. The support fire bounces off the shields, protecting the droid army as it marches onward. It seems that they are protected. A battery of AN-92s, - gargantuan self-propelled artillery guns - aim straight into the sky. The tips of their barrels pop through the shield. They fire up into space.
DROID CAPTAIN: That will hold them.
EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER MAHORA
The Republic ships are taking fire from the ground.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER BRIDGE
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Their shields are too strong. Move out of their range.
BRIDGE CAPTAIN: Yes, sir.
EXT. MAHORAN PLAINS
The droid captain raises binoculars to his receptors and scans the cliffs. He detects the command post!
CAPTAIN: Open fire on that ridge!
Suddenly, explosions start striking the army again. Lasers streak in horizontally from the sunset.
DROID LIEUTENANT: We’re taking fire!
DROID CAPTAIN: From where?
DROID LIEUTENANT: There!
He points straight into the sunset. The droid captain looks, is blinded, and then tries to shade his receptors. He raises his binoculars. Nothing. He switches to thermal view, and is also blinded.
DROID CAPTAIN: Can’t see through the sunlight! Thermals blinded too! Aaaa!
The droid is destroyed by splash damage from a nearby missile strike.
EXT. MAHORAN PLAINS
A Clone Army of the Republic is marching abreast, both man and machine coming out of the brilliant sunset. With the brilliant sun at their backs, the clones have a clear view of their targets, but their targets are nearly helpless to fight back.
The droids fire desperately, but barely hit anything. The clones and their manned machines are much more efficient.
EXT. COMMAND POST
From his perch, Kenobi watches as his army smashes into the droids from their flank.
KENOBI: Target the shield generators.
CLONE OFFICER: Of course, sir.
EXT. DROID COMMAND POST
DROID CAPTAIN: Return fire, uh, no, retreat, no, return fire, uh, that does not compute –
The droid captain and his surviving lieutenant are obliterated as his command post vehicle takes a direct hit from a missile.
The Clone Army’s fire concentrates on the massive shield generators. Soon, they are all burning and exploding. The shield above the army withers and drops.
EXT. COMMAND POST
KENOBI dons his command helmet. He opens a link to Admiral Aldan.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER BRIDGE
KENOBI (VO): Admiral, the shield generators are down. Requesting fire support!
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Yes, General.
EXT. COMMAND POST
KENOBI: Hold all positions!
CLONE OFFICER: Yes, sir.
Fire streams down from the sky, blasting the droid army relentlessly. The fire from the capital ships zooms in on the AN-92s, blowing them to pieces. The droid army tries to scatter as they are being obliterated.
EXT. MAHORAN PLAIN
The droid captain, last seen enveloped in flames, picks himself up. All around him, laser blasts reign down. He points in the direction of the setting sun, now almost gone, and pulls his rifle off his back. He looks around and charges.
DROID CAPTAIN: We must close with the enemy! Follow me!
He rushes in the direction of the Clone Army, accompanied by the remnants of his forces. They are drawing the capital ship fire too close to the Clone Army.
EXT. COMMAND POST
Kenobi sees the peril.
KENOBI: Admiral, cease fire! We’re closing with the enemy.
ADMIRAL ALDAN (VO): Yes, general.
EXT. MAHORAN PLAIN
The remnants of the droid army charge straight into the ranks of the Clones. Humans, their machines, and droids fight and fall.
EXT. COMMAND POST
Kenobi and his aides watch the melee.
KENOBI: This is the end game, men. Let’s deliver the coup de grace.
He and his officers mount their speeders, and launch down the precipice slope, racing into the battle. As Kenobi nears the droids in the rear, he ignites his saber. Banking his speeder and slaloming through the ranks of droids, he decapitates and cuts through droids to his left and right. An errant shot destroys the front of his speeder, sending him flying over the handlebars. He picks himself up and continues fighting in the wild melee.
He is knocked down by a blast. As he stands, he sees the turret of a droid tank turning on him. It fires. Obi-wan holds his saber with both hands, turns his head, and lets the Force guide him. The saber deflects the massive burst, but Obi-Wan is thrown back. The deflected blast smashes straight back into the chassis of the tank, disabling it.
As Obi-Wan is getting up, the firing withers down. As he searches for his next target, the firing ceases. No droids stand – only the Clone Army.
A Clone Officer approaches Obi-Wan.
CLONE OFFICER: Sir, the droid army has been destroyed. No targets in sight.
The clones around him start marching off the smoky battlefield.
Obi-wan removes his helmet.
KENOBI: Excellent. The fighting has gone on far too long already. Move the Army into the woods to bivouac for the night. Unless we’re ordered otherwise, we’ll start extracting in the morning. The Seperatists are finished on Mahora.
CLONE OFFICER: Yes, sir.
Obi-wan views the destruction with dismay. He senses something is not right.
KENOBI: Colonel, assume command. I must report to the Jedi Council in Coruscant.
EXT. SPACE HIGH ABOVE CORUSCANT
Obi-Wan’s shuttle, a small, ragged military transport, pops out of hyperspace and descends to the planet.
INT. REPUBLIC TRANSPORT
The ship is filled with haggard soldiers, more than a few wounded.
EXT. JEDI TEMPLE HANGAR
The transport lands just long enough to visit Obi-Wan. He walks into the hangar. As soon as the transport clears the entrance, Anakin’s TIE comes flying straight into the hangar. At the last minute, it rotates, engines first, and flares to a dramatic stop.
INT. ANAKIN’S TIE
He’s shutting down and removing his gloves when he has the urge to look up. There, peering in through the canopy, is Obi-Wan, smiling. Anakin is irrepressibly pleased. He opens the hatch and leaps to the ground. The two men embrace on another.
ANAKIN: Obi-Wan!
KENOBI: Anakin! So good to see you alive.
ANAKIN: It’s been far too long. What now, over a year?
Kenobi appraises Anakin. Not only is he more muscular, but he seems a tad bit taller.
KENOBI: Here I thought you were a man when you assumed the rank of knight. But it seems you’re still growing!
Anakin laughs. He puts his arm over Obi-Wan’s shoulder as they walk off. They make it a few steps before Obi-Wan reassumes his calm demeanor, and he shrugs off Anakin’s arm. Anakin is still smiling.
ANAKIN: Sorry, Obi-Wan.
KENOBI: Cheer and happiness are good – as long as you’re aware that too much will only bring pain and sadness in the future.
ANAKIN: So you repress your emotions?
KENOBI: You know me. I was born an old killjoy. I try to make sure my emotions are even at all times. Emotion obscures one’s attunement with the Force.
Anakin smiles at his former mentor. Despite Obi-Wan’s principals, Anakin’s cheer is infectious, and he grins.
ANAKIN: That’s what I like about you. When you do show emotion, it’s genuine. Are you hungry?
KENOBI: I require food. However, we need to brief the Council on the developments of the war.
ANAKIN: Come on, Obi, there’s time to kill before then.
KENOBI: Perhaps you’re right. I know a good place.
EXT. COCO TOWN – DEXTER’S DINER
The Jedi arrive in a speedy taxi. People standing on the street stare at the Jedi, and talk among themselves. Obi-Wan pays them no mind, but Anakin can’t help but stare back as they enter the diner.
INT. DEXTER’S DINER
Obi-Wan and Anakin sit at a booth and are serviced by a wheeled droid. As she leaves with their order, Dexter appears.
DEXTER: Hey, Obi!
KENOBI: Dexter. Haven’t sold the diner yet, eh?
Dexter motions to Anakin in a friendly way.
DEXTER: Who’s the tough guy?
OBI-WAN: Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. Surely you remember my former padawan?
DEXTER: Woah! My memory isn’t what it used to be. Weren’t you the little fella who liked Bantha burgers and pallies?
Anakin shakes hands with the friendly proprietor.
ANAKIN: A taste of Tattooine. You were the only one who could make those right.
DEXTER: Well, I spent a lot of time on Tattooine when I was fighting for the Malastare Merc Corp. I’d cook with two hands, and throw thermal detonators and fire blasters with the other two. But I’m too old for such antics now.
ANAKIN: Why are those patrons staring at us?
DEXTER: Didn’t you read the news?
ANAKIN: I haven’t had much time to keep up on current events.
DEXTER: There are many in the Senate who want the Jedi Order closed. Recently, a movement has grown to cease public support for the Jedi.
Anakin turns to Obi-Wan.
ANAKIN: Have you heard of this?
KENOBI: Yes. It started about the time of the Alderan massacre. They blame the Jedi for the incident.
ANAKIN: That’s not true. As far as I know, there were no Jedi on Alderan when it happened.
The food arrives. The Jedi start eating. Dex helps himself to some of Anakin’s pallies.
KENOBI: I know. But rumors carry further than the truth. Some people draw comfort in protesting that which they don’t understand. Most of them claim that Count Dooku is still part of the Council.
ANAKIN: That’s absurd.
DEXTER: I’ve seen strange things in my 500 years. But none as strange as blaming the Jedi for the Galaxy’s ills. Well, I have to get back to the grill.
KENOBI: Goodbye, Dex.
Dexter leaves the two Jedi.
ANAKIN: If I were in charge, I wouldn’t let them organize such groups.
KENOBI: Perhaps you can talk to Chancellor Palpatine.
ANAKIN: I will. My reason for returning from Shadow Squadron is to report to him.
KENOBI: The Chancellor, personally?
ANAKIN: With the war nearly won, I foresee that I will be tasked as his head of security.
KENOBI: And your wife? What of her?
Anakin shakes his head
ANAKIN: I haven’t seen or heard from her for over since my tour of duty started. Over six moons ago.
KENOBI: Attachment is forbidden for a Jedi. Yet, attachment is required for a husband. It must be difficult to separate.
ANAKIN: It wasn’t an easy choice. It’s harder on her than it is on me.
KENOBI: Your emotions weaken your defenses. I can read your thoughts. Your attachment to her is great.
Anakin nods and shakes his head.
ANAKIN: You’re right. As always. Don’t you get sick of being right all the time?
KENOBI: Not really.
EXT. JEDI TEMPLE
It stands in a gloomy fog.
INT. JEDI COUNCIL CHAMBER
Obi-Wan is at the center of the Council floor. Yoda, Mace Windu, are the only ones present. Luminara Unduli, and Ki-Adi-Mundi are present through holograms.
WINDU: The Council is in order. Master Yoda presides, I witness, and Luminara Unduli and Ki-Adi-Mundi share holo-witness from abroad.
YODA: Thank you, Master Windu. Master Kenobi, please report.
KENOBI: Yes, my master. Over the past year, the Seperatists have grown increasingly desperate as they lose to our superior army. Though strong in firepower and control, droids cannot match the creative tactics and adaptability of our clone forces.
WINDU: Thankfully, machines only follow program.
KENOBI: The Seperatist threat is nearly over. The Republic dominates their worlds. They can only fight guerilla and terrorist actions now. That is my perspective on the conflict.
YODA: And the Chosen One. Have you had contact with him?
KENOBI: As we speak, Knight Skywalker is reporting to the Supreme Chancellor.
WINDU: We wish to speak with him, as well. What is your impression of him?
KENOBI: Anakin started his training late. His attachments cloud his judgement. He is prone to emotion. However, he is immensely strong with the Force, he is idealistic, and wants to use his powers to better the Galaxy.
WINDU: Fine. The Seperatist’s desperation troubles me. They will grow unpredictable.
YODA: Report to Naboo, you will. Guard Senator Amidala.
KENOBI: Surely Anaki - , I mean, Knight Skywalker is better suited for such an assignment. It would also permit him time to be with his wife. He’s fought hard in this war, to the great benefit of the Republic.
YODA: This is why we have chosen you.
WINDU: We foresee great danger centered on the connection between Skywalker and his wife.
KENOBI: Respectfully, Masters, I would like to observe that Anakin is capable of being a Jedi and a husband.
YODA: Of this, we are sure. However, our judgement you must trust on this decision.
KENOBI: Yes, Master.
WINDU: Without delay, go to Naboo and guard Padme Skywalker. The threat to her is imminent.
Kenobi bows, and leaves the Council Chamber.
EXT. GALACTIC SENATE
Establishing shot.
INT. HALLWAY
Anakin walks to the office of the Supreme Chancellor, and stops at the door. It is guard by four of the Chancellor’s guards. One of them radios in.
GUARD: The Jedi is here.
The door opens, and Anakin enters Palpatine’s office. The Chancellor is alone.
PALPATINE: Welcome, Skywalker.
ANAKIN: Sir.
PALPATINE: Your heroics have nearly carried the war in space.
ANAKIN: Thank you. We’re all doing what we can.
Palpatine takes Anakin’s hand in greeting.
PALPATINE: My vision has come true. You are the greatest of all the Jedi.
ANAKIN: Again, thank you for your compliment. But Jedi must also humble.
Palpatine is bemused. He turns back to his desk.
PALPATINE: Please, sit.
Anakin does so, and they face each other across Palpatine’s desk.
ANAKIN: For what reason doest thou call me, Chancellor?
PALPATINE: These are grave times. Though the Seperatist war is nearly won, I fear the worst for the Republic.
ANAKIN: What do you mean?
Palpatine stands, and looks out at the gloom, and the people in the streets far below.
PALPATINE: War is detrimental to a democracy. There is growing clamor for me to resign my emergency powers. But, to do so at this time would be the deathblow to the Republic.
ANAKIN: Who is calling for the removal of your powers?
PALPATINE: The usual. Do you know how many in the Senate have profited from the war? Too many.
Anakin absorbs this and listens. Palpatine turns to him.
PALPATINE: And there is additional danger. The Senate is set for a vote to review the necessity of the organization responsible for peace and justice in our world.
ANAKIN: The Order?
PALPATINE: They question the need for you and your comrades.
ANAKIN: I would think our need is self-evident.
PALPATINE: A sentiment I share. This is why I have called you. If the Jedi are disbanded, I want to retain you as my assistant. As my apprentice.
ANAKIN: I can’t see the end of the Jedi Order, sir. We’re older than the Republic itself. We can form our own Order.
PALPATINE: And in what capacity would that order function? Who would it support? How would it support itself, by giving lightsaber lessons?
Anakin is dismayed.
PALPATINE: Come now, you are a bright, modern young man. The Order is obsolete. Just look at the disaster on Geonosis. The Force did not save your comrades, wielding sabers against state-of-the-art firepower.
Anakin stands, angered.
PALPATINE: Affronted, are we? Emotion is bane to the Jedi.
ANAKIN: You seem to know a lot about the Jedi, sir.
Palpatine turns to the window.
PALPATINE: The Jedi order is a subject in which I have great interest. Although I am not Force adept myself, I have always been interested in studying Jedi lore.
ANAKIN: You are speaking of my principles too, sir.
PALPATINE: I mean no disrespect, of course. I apologize if I affront you.
ANAKIN: Apology accepted. Tell me, why your interest in the Jedi? I will not be offended.
PALPATINE: The Jedi interest me because they are stuck in time, clinging to morals and virtues that have long outlived their usefulness.
He turns to Anakin.
PALPATINE: If, heavens forbid, the Order is voted out, or otherwise altered, I will need you to help me bring about a New Order. An Order in which you will be in charge. I ask you to remain silent on this matter. If I must hire you for this purpose, I must appear to consider others for political reasons. But you will be the one I pick.
ANAKIN: Thank you sir, but I will wait for the outcome of the vote in the Senate before deliberating on this. And I must advise you that there is no matter on which I can remain silent if called by my masters in the Jedi High Council.
PALPATINE: Understood. It’s clear to me now that you are incorruptible. You would be surprised at what most ambitious young men would do in your place.
ANAKIN: After three years of war, I feel nothing can surprise me. Except when men tell the truth.
Palpatine is wary.
PALPATINE: We have intelligence stating that the Seperatists will resort to assassinations and terror to fight for their cause. I will only feel safe with a proven Jedi Knight as the head of my personal security. Will you accept this task?
ANAKIN: It will be an honor, sir.
PALPATINE: I mean no disrespect, but I originally requested the services of your former mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Unfortunately, it seems that the Jedi Council has dispatched him to guard Senator Amidala of my homeworld, Na –
ANAKIN: Obi-Wan was sent to Naboo?
PALPATINE: This is news to you?
ANAKIN: Yes. If anyone would be sent to guard her, I would think it be me.
PALPATINE: How could I forget? You are married to the senator. Well, I’m sure we can defer to the Council’s judgement on this matter. But if you worked for me, I would never separate you from your spouse to fulfill an archaic code.
Anakin retains control.
ANAKIN: Yes, sir. I accept your task. I will protect you.
PALPATINE: Thank you, Knight. Together, there is much we can accomplish.
ANAKIN: By your leave, sir. I must report to my masters before I can be of service to you.
Palpatine nods. Anakin stands, bows, and leaves.
EXT. SPACE
A fleet of Republic destroyers advances on a trio of Trade Federation ships, accompanied by assorted mercenary ships.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER BRIDGE
Admiral Aldan is approached by his lieutenant.
LIEUTENANT: The remnants of the enemy fleet is almost in range of fighters, sir.
ADMIRAL ALDAN: Don’t launch the TIEs until we can support them with our capital ships.
LIEUTENANT: Yes sir.
EXT. SPACE
The ships are slowly moving apart to prepare to jump into hyperspace.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION BATTLESHIP
A darkened chamber deep within the ship. Count Dooku – Darth Tyrannus, kneels before a holoprojector. The Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious, appears.
DOOKU: What is thy bidding, my master?
SIDIOUS: Rise, my friend. The die is set. Move the last of your fleet to Naboo. Destroy Theed and kill the senator. Then, return to Coruscant so Skywalker can take your place at my side.
DOOKU: It will take some time to travel so far.
SIDIOUS: It matters not. Later will be better. I must rid ourselves of the Jedi through the Senate. Regardless, slaughter the Naboo at the cost of your fleet. We need them no longer.
Dooku rises and exits the chamber. It’s adjacent to the bridge.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION BATTLESHIP BRIDGE
Dooku approaches the bridge captain.
DOOKU: Engage the hyperdrives, and prepare for ground assault.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER BRIDGE
A technician stands from his pit.
TECHNICIAN: Sir! They’re moving into hyperspace!
EXT. SPACE
One-by-one, the ships disappear from space.
ALDAN: Track them!
TECHNICIAN: Right away.
EXT. SPACE – HIGH ABOVE NABOO
Obi-Wan’s Jedi Starfighter pops out of hyperspace. It separates from its hyperdrive and enters the atmosphere.
EXT. THEED
The city is resplendent in the bright sunshine. The Jedi starfighter lands in the royal hangar.
INT. ROYAL HANGAR
Obi-Wan steps out. There is no one there. He looks around, not having seen the place since the fateful day Qui-Gon Jinn was killed.
Presently, a party centered around Padme Amidala appears. Though she’s pregnant, she rushes to Obi-Wan.
PADME: Obi-Wan! It’s good to see you.
KENOBI: And you, too. Both of you, that is.
Padma shyly glances at her belly. She looks around, her face alight.
PADME: You came alone? Where is Anakin?
KENOBI: Anakin is safe on Coruscant. Though I wish things were different, for your sake and his, I was assigned to protect you will he carries out a new tour of duty as the Chancellor’s security chief.
Padme is visibly disappointed. They start walking.
KENOBI: But, he is well, though he never mentioned your condition.
PADME: He doesn’t know. I thought that commanding a combat squadron would be stressful enough. I was hoping he would find out today.
KENOBI: I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m sure Palpatine will grant him leave as soon as he’s settled in.
PADME: You never disappoint me, Obi-Wan. And I’m sure I’ll see him soon.
Alone, they stop in a hallway. Obi-Wan senses something.
PADME: What is it?
KENOBI: I feel close to beings in whom the Force is exceptionally strong. Three beings. The son and daughter of Skywalker, and their mother.
PADME: It’s true. I’m carrying twins. A boy and a girl.
KENOBI: Now I understand why the Council has ordered me here. Your children will become powerful Jedi, if you desire them to be trained.
PADME: No, never. It’s bad enough that my husband is never around. I couldn’t give my children to the Order. I want them to be normal people, not ascetic warrior philosophers.
KENOBI: It’s not a life everyone can accommodate.
They continue walking.
KENOBI: Do you know the origins of the popular sentiment against the Jedi Order?
PADME: Not exactly, but the leaders of the anti-Jedi are well funded by mysterious sources. And someone is pulling the strings in the Senate.
KENOBI: Curious.
PADME: Do you think the Order is in jeopardy?
KENOBI: In this life, anything is possible.
PADME: Obi-Wan, can I confide in you?
KENOBI: I can keep my lips shut, but I cannot lie.
PADME: Talking in riddles now? Do all Jedi start babbling like Yoda as they grow older?
KENOBI: True, that statement is not.
Padme looks at him, and sees he is grinning. She laughs. They walk on, stopping at a parapet overlooking the palace courtyard.
KENOBI: What is it you would like to say?
PADME: Have you ever loved someone so much that it hurts when they’re gone?
KENOBI: Yes.
PADME: When Anakin is gone, that’s how I feel. And he’s always gone.
Obi-wan waits for her to continue.
PADME: I made a mistake in marrying Anakin. It’s too difficult. I feel as though I’ve joined the Order myself, and it’s a life that’s too cold and austere for me. What am I to do?
Obi-wan considers this.
KENOBI: I’ve told Anakin many times that all things in life are balanced. If you and he have shared great joys and happiness, then you must suffer pain and sadness as well. There is no way out of the cycle.
PADME: What if he leaves the Order?
KENOBI: That’s his decision, though his presence would be missed.
EXT. GALACTIC SENATE
An establishing shot, mid-day.
INT. GALACTIC SENATE
Yoda, Mace Windu, and Anakin are on an observation platform, overlooking the entire senate.
Palpatine is in the Chancellor’s booth. A delegate hovercraft floats in the middle of the floor. It’s occupied by delegates from Malastare, who are decrying the Jedi role in government.
MALASTARE DELEGATE: Furthermore, it costs the Republic more to raise and train one single Jedi, than it does to create an entire company of clone troopers. And no one can seriously state that the abilities of one Jedi can possible match the power of a company of modern troops. Despite all this, we can’t even trust their loyalty, as evidenced by the lead Seperatist, Count Dooku of Serreno – a Jedi Master! The Jedi are outdated, outmoded, ineffective, and costly. To sum up, it is high time these relics of yesteryear are abandoned.
Palpatine listens to this passively. The Malastare delegates retreat to their wall slot.
PALPATINE: We have heard the final argument in this debate. May I conclude that it is the Chancellor’s position that the Jedi Order is key to the Republic’s ability to maintain order and peace. If they are gone, it will diminish our democracy’s ability to hold law and order. They are costly, but that which is truly good is never cheap. They are ancient, and their methods are old, but morals and righteousness are timeless. Consider this, and vote your conscious, not for politics.
Yoda suddenly senses something. Looking down at the Chancellor’s station, he sees Palpatine look up at him, and, for a split second, grins victoriously.
YODA: Evil, this place is becoming. A pit of darkness. Infected their minds, the Sith have.
MACE: The Sith? Here? Where?
YODA: Among the masses before us, a Dark Lord there is. Who it is, I am not certain. But, I feel the cold presence of the Dark Side.
MACE: Unbelievable. The very organization we rely on is being turned against us.
YODA: Stop this, we must. Imperative, to identify the Sith.
ANAKIN: Is there time? What if they vote us out?
MACE: If we are abolished, there will be a confirmation vote. After that, the Senate will decide what role, if any, we will have.
YODA: Skywalker, be wary. Charge you with assisting this investigation, we must.
WINDU: Through your contact with the Chancellor, try and determine what connections the Sith have to the Senate.
ANAKIN: I’ll do what I can, Masters.
On the Senate floor, Palpatine is discussing matters with his aides. The chairman stands and calls the Senate to order.
CHAIRMAN: The vote results are tallied. Chancellor Palpatine will announce the results.
Palpatine stands.
PALPATINE: Respected delegates of the Senate, the outcome of the vote supports, by a close margin, the cessation of state support for the Jedi Order, and their responsibilities and activities therein.
Yoda and Windu look on passively. Anakin shakes his head.
From the Senate floor, rising shouts and boos cloud Palpatine’s voice.
PALPATINE: This action must be validated by confirmation vote no more than one week’s time from this declaration.
ANAKIN: They will never confirm the vote.
WINDU: I’m not so confident. Somehow, support for the Jedi among the public has vanished in the past few years.
YODA: Allow this to happen, we cannot. We must maintain control!
ANAKIN: What’s so important about control, and our position in the Galaxy, master. Won’t the Jedi exist regardless of politics and government? The Living Force cares not for these things.
Yoda squints at Anakin.
YODA: You yet have much to learn about The Force. Accept our decree: This is a bad situation for the Galaxy and all life within it.
Anakin takes this in passively, showing neither support or denial. He’s beyond the days of outward rebellion, more subtle and complex now.
ANAKIN: As you wish, my Masters.
Anakin bows and leaves. Mace and Yoda exchange knowing glances. The boy is dangerous, and especially so, to them.
INT. BARRACKS
These are the on-site barracks of the Chancellor’s personal guard, located adjacent to Palpatine’s office and quarters.
Anakin has the men lined up for inspection. Dressed in immaculate and imposing black uniform and cape, Anakin is both fiercely handsome and intimidating at the same time. His gaze could either turn one cold with fear, or warm their hearts, depending on whether he smiles or scowls.
Anakin paces before them. The troops are immaculate and well-disciplined, not disorganized and individual, like his squadron mates.
ANAKIN: I am Colonel Anakin Skywalker, your new Captain of the Guard. I am hard, but no one will debate the fairness of my command. I ask only that you obey me without question, and that you display instant obedience to any order given by me, or the Chancellor. If the reasons for this are not immediately apparent, I will explain them. We live in turbulent times, and there are many who wish the Chancellor dead. On my life and honor, this will not happen. My life, all our lives, are second to the man we protect. Is this understood?
GUARDS (as one): Yes sir.
ANAKIN: Excellent. Carry out the mission of the day.
Anakin turns and leaves. He enters his quarters. They are Spartan. There are no decorations. Only a futon, his bags he carried from fighter duty, a black, wooden practice saber stands in the corner. An extra captain of the guard uniform and his Jedi regalia hang on the wall. Though he was emotionless in front of his troops, now he’s is a little sad and depressed.
INT. GUARD CAPTAIN QUARTERS
ANAKIN: Home sweet home.
He checks his watch, smiles, and activates a holoprojector. Basic characters flash in the air before him as he tries to connect to Padme.
INT. NABOO PALACE BEDROOM
Padme is asleep in bed. The first rays of light are coming through the window.
Anakin’s hologram, full size, is projected near the bed from a bedstand projector.
ANAKIN: Padme, wake up.
INT. GUARD CAPTAIN QUARTERS
Padme’s full-size hologram shows her sleeping, laying horizontally, covered up in blankets, as if on a transparent bed.
ANAKIN: Wake up, please.
INT. NABOO PALACE BEDROOM
Padme stirs awake, to see the ghost-like Anakin standing above her.
PADME: “Oh, Anakin!”
She gets out of bed and stands, carefully hugging the projection, keeping her arms around air, causing minor distortions and disruptions in the image as her arm blocks the hologram’s lasers.
INT. GUARD CAPTAIN QUARTERS
Anakin hugs Padme the same way, keeping his arms around her ethereal image. They stay that way for a long time. After nearly a minute of silence, they kiss.
ANAKIN: Let me get a look at you.
Padme seems nervous. But then she resigns herself to reveal her condition. She steps back.
INT. NABOO PALACE BEDROOM
Anakin can see her swollen belly. His jaw drops, and he wrestles with the emotions stirred in him by the realization. Finally, he gets control over his emotions.
ANAKIN: By the Will of the Force… You didn’t tell me?
Padme stands silent, looking into his eyes.
PADME: Does it make you happy?
INT. GUARD CAPTAIN QUARTERS
ANAKIN: Happy? How could you ask that?
Padme is taken off guard.
ANAKIN: It makes me happier than anything in my life.
PADME: Then, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I wanted you to see me. See us. Not be informed while you were deployed on a mission.
ANAKIN: It’s OK. I understand.
PADME: When can I see you?
ANAKIN: Chancellor Palpatine has granted me leave in one week. I just have to break in my guards and get security up to my standards.
PADME: One month? That’s it?
INT. NABOO PALACE BEDROOM
Padme and Anakin come together and embrace.
ANAKIN: One more week, Padme, and we’ll be together.
PADME: Can I come to Coruscant now?
Anakin considers this. He looks down at her belly, and moves his hands over it. He looks in her eyes.
ANAKIN: Not now. I’m only working. Besides, there is something wrong.
PADME: What is it?
ANAKIN: I feel there is much danger here. Much danger everywhere. The Force is unbalanced, and soon, there will be calamity.
PADME: But I thought the war is over?
ANAKIN: War is never over.
He suddenly realizes he’s being too serious, and scoffs and smiles. So does she.
ANAKIN: One month, my love. And I can forget myself in your arms.
PADME: I love you.
INT. GUARD CAPTAIN QUARTERS
Anakin kisses his ghost-like wife. He pulls back, and with a flick of his arm, uses the Force to hit the switch on the holoprojector. She starts to fade away.
ANAKIN: I love you too.
She is gone.
Anakin checks his watch again, and grimaces.
ANAKIN: Late, damn. Yoda’s gonna kill me.
INT. JEDI HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Anakin stands alone. He looks quizzically at the empty seats.
He turns to the window, and his thoughts drift to Padme and becoming a father. He is grinning when he hears a familiar voice from behind.
YODA: Sneak up on you, I can.
Yoda grins. He’s in one of his inexplicably playful moods.
ANAKIN: Master Yoda. And I thought I was late.
YODA: Mmmm, sad times are these, when even Jedi Masters are tardy.
He looks back at the door he entered through. Presently, a young boy, dressed in his padawan tunic, enters the chamber.
YODA: Anakin Skywalker, meet Ki-Yhouz Jinn.
For a split second, Anakin is taken aback. But he regains his composure.
ANAKIN: The look of his father, he has.
YODA: Will you accept him as your padawan?
Anakin grins and kneels. He extends his hand, and takes the little boy’s hand in his.
ANAKIN: Nice to meet you.
KI-YHOUZ: You too, Master.
ANAKIN: Your father, Qui-Gon, was a great man.
KI-YHOUZ: I know. I will be, too.
Anakin and Yoda laugh. Anakin turns to Yoda.
ANAKIN: It will be an honor to train him. I take Ki-Yhouz Jinn as my padawan learner.
YODA: Good.
ANAKIN: I’m sorry, Ki-Yhouz, but would you allow the master and I to talk in private?
KI-YHOUZ: I will wait outside, master.
He runs off. Yoda trundles to his chair and climbs in. He motions to Anakin to take a chari.
YODA: Come. Sit.
Anakin does so. He leans forward.
ANAKIN: Master Yoda, a padawan is the last thing I expected right now.
YODA: Just when you thought your training was complete, a new trial you must endure. A powerful trial it is, being the master to an apprentice. Much you will learn.
ANAKIN: It seems the older I get, the more I realize I know nothing.
YODA: When 800 years you reach, like me, a fool you will become.
Anakin grins.
ANAKIN: Are you sure now is a good time?
YODA: No better time, than now. The Jedi are few and far between. Terrible, this war’s toll is.
ANAKIN: How many Jedi are left?
YODA: 216. And over 100 padawans.
ANAKIN: It may not have been wise to use the Jedi in the war.
YODA: Save the Republic, it did. Served our cause, we have.
Yoda senses Anakin has more to say.
YODA: More to say of you, Knight Skywalker?
Anakin finds it hard to speak his mind.
ANAKIN: Yes, master. Although flattered, I do not feel I am worthy of a padawan.
YODA: Hmmm. I felt the same as you when I took my first padawan. And look at the accomplishment of Obi-Wan, who took you as soon as he was promoted to Knight.
ANAKIN: It’s not ability. I… I am in doubt of my faith in the Force. I’ve always felt like an outside in the Order, Master. And, I must report to you, my wife is expecting.
YODA: Padme is strong in the Force, as you are.
ANAKIN: Will the child be, as well?
YODA: Determined by this, heredity is not. The Force alone chooses its agents.
Anakin is sullen.
ANAKIN: I’m not confident I can be a father, husband, and an honest Jedi.
YODA: Many Jedi are all three. Mothers, too.
ANAKIN: Qui-Gon’s child. Is he the product of marriage?
YODA: Yes. Many wives did Qui-Gon Jinn have. And many children. Ki-Yhouz alone is strong in the Force among them.
ANAKIN: It seems heartless to bear children and never be present.
YODA: Sometimes that which seems heartless is anything but. Like many of us, Qui-Gon felt that serving the Force helped ensure the safety of his children and their mothers.
ANAKIN: I feel like I can’t control the destiny of my loved ones without being there.
YODA: Mmmmm. Controlling destiny. A task attempted by many, but accomplished by no one. To love without condition, there can be no conditions. No control. Only love for all. This is the way you must embrace. Even a fortress of security around your loved ones cannot prevent their fate. And the harder you hold them, the more then will squeeze through your fingers.
Anakin is sullen.
ANAKIN: There is much for me to learn, Master.
YODA: For all of us, there is much to learn. But if we have faith in our principles, great good can we accomplish.
ANAKIN: So it seems. I’m honored you entrust me with a padawan, Master.
YODA: And I am honored you accept him.
Anakin stands, bows, and takes his leave. Outside the door to the Council Chambers is Ki-Yhouz.
ANAKIN: Come with me, boy.
As they turn to leave, they are passed by Mace Windu. They bow to each other and continue on their way.
INT. JEDI HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBER
Mace sits next to Yoda.
WINDU: Do you think Skywalker will have trouble training a padawan and taking on the Chancellor’s security duties?
YODA: Our padawan’s need training. As does Skywalker. A padawan will teach him true patience and persistence. A padawan will ground him, keep him centered on the Force, and remind him of his virtue, so that he does not fall toward the Dark Side.
WINDU: Do you suspect someone in the Chancellor’s staff?
YODA: Clouded our vision is. Suspect everyone, I must.
WINDU: We must ask ourselves: Who would benefit if we are eliminated?
YODA: The Chancellor’s power could be greatly enhanced.
WINDU: But Palpatine doesn’t seem to be power hungry.
YODA: Were he seen to be, opposition would he face. Appearances are deceptive. Skilled he is, and growing more powerful in pursecuting this war.
INT. GALACTIC SENATE – SECURITY BRIEFING ROOM
Anakin, with Ki-Yhouz sitting respectfully and perfectly silent behind him and to the left, is seated with his top four section leaders. A holoprojection of the Galactic Senate’s blueprints are before them.
ANAKIN: The red sectors must be continuously manned by guards of our staff, all hours of the day and night. This includes the Chancellor’s office and living quarters, and his landing. Yellow sectors are to be swept every hour. This includes briefing rooms A, B, and C, and the Galactic Senate. The Chancellor’s itinerary must not be deviated from. Any place he visits within the Senate will be inspected thoroughly two hours before his arrival, and a guard presence maintained from then until the end of his visit. That concludes the guard plan.
The holoprojection disappears. Anakin is a little tired. Ki-Yhouz stifles a yawn.
ANAKIN: It’s late. Adjourn, men.
The men get up, bow, and Anakin returns the bow. The men leave. Anakin turns to Ki-Yhouz.
ANAKIN: When you and I are in the presence of others, you will remain silent unless spoken to. Understand?
KI-YHOUZ: Yes sir.
ANAKIN: If you wish to tell me something, broadcast your thoughts to me. As we get to know each other, we can communicate without speaking. This is essential for coordination in combat.
Ki-Yhouz is emotionless.
KI-YHOUZ: Yes sir.
Anakin breaks into a grin. The boy is like a sponge.
ANAKIN: But when you and I are alone, you may speak whatever comes to mind.
KI-YHOUZ: Yes sir.
ANAKIN: Do you speak anything in Basic besides ‘Yes sir?’
KI-YHOUZ: It’s the only thing a padawan has to say to his master.
ANAKIN: Hah. Not my padawan. We’re gonna expand your vocabulary a bit. Come on, kid. It’s late, but we still have to work out before bedtime.
INT. JEDI TEMPLE – TRAINING DOJO
The place is empty, as if it’s designed for many people to work at once, but now Anakin and Ki-Yhouz are the only ones there. They stripped to the waist, wearing baggy trousers, almost like skirts. Together they are cranking out pushups.
ANAKIN: You’re not cheating with the Force, are you?
KI-YHOUZ: No master.
ANAKIN: Train only your muscles.
KI-YHOUZ seems to slow down a bit. Finally, he collapses while Anakin continues, relentless.
ANAKIN: Run the obstacle trainer.
Ki-Yhouz flips to his feet, and runs across the floor to the obstacle trainer – a long, ‘playground’ of horizontal pipes at alternating levels, along with vertical walls. Ki-Yhouz runs the obstacle, ducking, somersaulting, flipping, and leaping through the trainer with amazing dexterity and skill. He makes it to the end, and barely ducks as a black wooden sword passes over him. He somersaults away and stands in a defensive posture.
Anakin stands with the sword, on guard.
ANAKIN: Good. You were aware I was there.
Ki-Yhouz force pulls his own wooden sword to his hand, and stands on guard.
ANAKIN: Attack me.
Ki-Yhouz obeys. Anakin simply parries the skilled boy’s attacks.
ANAKIN: Haven’t hit me yet.
KI-YHOUZ: I will.
Anakin laughs, overjoyed at the boy’s enthusiasm and display of skill.
ANAKIN: I don’t think so. Haven’t you noticed my lower left side has been open the whole time?
Ki-Yhouz backs off, then attacks in the spot Anakin told him about, the lower left.
ANAKIN: No, I won’t let you get me there, but I’ve opened up something else. Always search your enemy for his weaknesses.
Ki-Yhouz ducks a swing from Anakin. They continue on, until Ki-Yhouz finally ducks under Anakin and stabs upward into his abdomen, just hard enough to show he’d found Anakin’s ‘weakness.’
ANAKIN: Good job. I will display a different ‘weakness’ each time we spar. Soon you will be able to instantly tell where your opponent is open.
KI-YHOUZ: Is this how Obi-Wan taught you?
ANAKIN: Yes. And this is how your father taught Obi-Wan.
Ki-Yhouz accepts this silently.
ANAKIN: Did you know him at all?
KI-YHOUZ: No. I was raised in the Temple. I know neither him nor my mother.
Anakin nods.
EXT. NABOO PLAINS
It’s dawn. Theed is far off in the distance, tranquil on its hill. Obi-Wan Kenobi brings his speeder bike to a stop and dismounts. He looks around, shakes off the dawn chill, and disrobes, save long trousers the Jedi use while working out.
He starts to run up a grass mountain. Sprinting the hole way, he’s steaming by the time he reaches the top. He ignites his saber and moves through a kata, acting as though he’s fending blows and reflecting shots. The kata finished, he tumbles and runs down the hill to a small river. He wades up to his knees in the running water, then faces upstream and closes his eyes.
The water around him lowers in volume, and a wave builds up before him. The water ceases to flow down the river, and is stopped by an invisible wall of force conjured up by Obi-Wan. The water around Obi-Wan’s feet flows away.
Deep in concentration, in tune with the Force, Obi-Wan sees the future. The vision starts out as a faint red glow, then focuses into a burning, destroyed Theed. Lasers blast down into the city, reducing all that stands to rubble and summoning more flame. Anakin’s visage appears, and he’s in mortal pain.
Obi-wan’s eyes open, and the waters crash down as he runs out of the streambed. Once on the shore, he watches as the surge of water flows up and down the riverbanks. Soon, everything is back to normal. But Obi-Wan cannot shake the vision. He gazes to the sky, and then runs for his speeder bike.
INT. CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE
Palpatine sits across from a small delegation of humans and aliens, including Sido Faral – a Bothan, and Herrar Pettam, a Rodian. They are in an argument, and Palpatine almost looks bored. Anakin is in the back of the room, seemingly uninterested, but keeping an eye and an ear on things. Each alien delegate is accompanied by a protocol droid. The one with Faral, X1-138 is a light silver with a female voice. The one with Pettam, Z2-D1, has a dark bronze color and a male voice.
The aliens speak, and the droids interpret for them.
FARAL / X1-138: Chancellor, this arrangement will be detrimental to the Bothan System, and is unfairly advantageous to the Rodians.
PETTAM / Z2-D1: We’ve suffered under the Bothan control of our hyperspace routes in the sector in question. Our system is clearly closer to the routes, and we should be the beneficiaries of trade through that area. You cannot argue with astronomy and geography.
PALPATINE: Then, after all our work, we are at an impasse again?
FARAL / X1-138: It appears we are.
PETTAM / Z2-D1: Unlike the Bothans, we Rodians are peaceful democracy. We earnestly seek a calm resolution to this age-old matter.
PALPATINE: Of course you do. Colonel Skywalker, what measures do you think are necessary to resolve this wasteful conflict.
ANAKIN: Me, sir?
PALPATINE: Yes. Provide us with your musings. This quarrel has cost countless lives for both sides.
Anakin stands.
ANAKIN: Continued fighting will resolve nothing. It seems to me that the agreement is fair. We need only to enforce it.
The droids translate this for their masters.
FARAL / X1-138: We do not see why this young man’s point of view is pertinent.
PALPATINE: It’s pertinent because Skywalker is a man of action, while we are simply experts of politics. And he’s right. Under the executive powers I wield, I could see to it that the Republic military enforces the treaty.
PETTAM / Z2-D1: That would be unacceptable. We have rights to our sovereignty.
FARAL / X1-138: We would welcome Republic oversight and intervention.
The delegates start arguing directly. Palpatine and Anakin exchange glances.
PALPATINE: Gentlemen, we are merely discussing options. It’s late. I suggest we resume these talks at a later time.
The delegates leave, and only Anakin, his padawan, and Palpatine remain.
It’s night out. The windows act as mirrors.
PALPATINE: Greed is the reason this conflict started, and greed is the reason it persists. Each side wants more and more, and even with unlimited space beyond the atmospheres of their planets, there is not enough space for them to co-exist peacefully.
ANAKIN: We could make them agree. With the Republic’s Navy.
PALPATINE: I’m afraid the Republic is too weak for that now. And with the conclusion of the Clone Wars, I will no longer have a navy at my disposal. They know this.
Anakin considers this. Palpatine turns to the window.
PALPATINE: I can’t see anything out there now. With a transparent surface, such as water or glass, have you ever noticed that when you’re on the light side, you can see only the light? But, out there, from the dark side, you can see everything with perfect clarity?
ANAKIN: I guess it never occurred to me.
INT. ROYAL PALACE CHAMBERS
Seated before Obi-Wan are Padme, Captain Typho, and Queen Jamilla with her handmaidens.
KENOBI: The city of Theed is in great danger. And I suspect it is going to be targeted because of Padme Amidalla’s presence. We must rush her from here, and evacuate the city as well.
JAMILLA: Evacuate the city? Why?
KENOBI: I suspect we will be a target of the Seperatists.
TYPHO: Their forces are scattered along the Outer Rim. There isn’t a Seperatist ship anywhere near our sector.
KENOBI: Do they not possess hyperdrives? They can pop up anywhere they like.
TYPHO: Our defenses are much stronger now, to say nothing of the Republic’s firepower. An attack here in the middle rim would be suicide.
KENOBI: Nevertheless, the danger is imminent. If they arrive in force, they could bombard the city before your defenses can stop them. I suggest activating planetary defenses now, especially the bombardment shields.
TYPHO: The bombardment shield would prohibit all commercial and private transport to and from Thee –
KENOBI: That’s not going to matter. You will be attacked.
JAMILLA: Master Kenobi, could you share with us the source of this knowledge?
KENOBI: The Force has shown me the future. This will happen. I’m not certain if it will be in minutes or days, but you must trust me on this matter.
Jamilla and Typho exchange dubious glances. Padme is not so unsure. Obi-Wan suppresses his frustration.
PADME: Where do you suggest I go?
KENOBI: I will take you off-world, to a place where you will be invisible to those who seek you out.
JAMILLA: Captain Typho, place our defenses in their highest state of readiness. Master Kenobi, you may protect Padme as you see fit.
Obi-Wan is not satisfied, but his main goal of protecting Padme is realized.
KENOBI: M’Lady, I suggest you prepare for a quick departure.
INT. JEDI COUNCIL TEMPLE – COUNCIL CHAMBER
Obi-Wan appears as a life-size projection before masters Yoda and Windu.
KENOBI: I am leaving Theed with the Queen. It’s not safe here. The city will come under attack. I am certain of it.
WINDU: You have foreseen this?
KENOBI: Yes, Master, as clear as dawn.
YODA: Odd, that we cannot.
KENOBI: I have noticed, Master, that my clarity in the Force gets stronger the further from Coruscant I move.
WINDU: Go, then
Obi-Wan bows, and disappears. The door chimes.
WINDU: Come.
An older female human Padawan, Si Issis, enters.
ISSIS: Masters, it is my duty to report that the resolution to remove the Jedi Order from the Department of Justice has been ratified.
WINDU: Thank you.
Issis leaves.
WINDU: What is to become of us?
YODA: Eh, politics matters not. As long as there is the Force, there will be Jedi. We must brief the Chancellor about the situation on Naboo.
EXT. SPACE
The Republic fleet, deep in space.
INT. REPUBLIC DESTROYER BRIDGE
A lieutenant reports to Admiral Aldan.
LIEUTENANT: Sir, we’ve discovered the Seperatist’s destination.
ALDAN: Where?
LIEUTENANT: Naboo.
ALDAN: Set a course. And intercept them with everything we got.
EXT. SPACE – HIGH ORBIT OVER NABOO
The Trade Federation battleships blast into realspace.
INT. TRADE FEDERATION BATTLESHIP BRIDGE
BRIDGE COMMANDER: Sir, their defenses are down.
DOOKU: Attack!
INT. ROYAL PALACE HANGAR
Obi-wan is watching as workers load gear into a small, discrete Nubian transport. He looks grave.
PADME: Why would anyone attack me?
KENOBI: I’m not sure. We’re living in interesting times.
EXT. SPACE
The trade federation battleships start dropping thousands of bombs. Lasers rotate directly onto the planet as landing ships drop from hangars.
INT. BATTLESHIP HANGAR
Dooku takes his seat in a transport. It drops, and goes into space.
EXT. SPACE
Laser fire crashes out of the cannons and towards the surface of the planet.
INT. ROYAL HANGAR
An attack alarm sounds.
KENOBI: That’s it. Get onboard, quick!
They hustle aboard.
INT. THEED DEFENSE HALL
Typho stands near radar screens.
LIEUTENANT: Sir! An attack fleet has just broken into orbit!
TYPHO: Activate the shields! Scramble the fighters!
INT. NUBIAN TRANSPORT COCKPIT
Obi-Wan is behind the pilots.
KENOBI: Why aren’t you taking off?
PILOT: Sir, the fighters are scrambling, they have priority.
Outside the ship, Naboo spacefighters are lifting off and going out.
Obi-Wan is angry.
KENOBI: We have to leave now!
R2-D2 and C3-PO get on board as the hatch shuts.
PILOT: We can’t just take off, sir, we -
KENOBI: Blast. Blast!
EXT. THEED SHIELD GENERATOR
The generator is just kicking in, creating a Gungan shield, when a red ray of destruction slices through the city, exploding the buildings it touches. It hits the generator, which explodes like a bomb.
INT. THEED DEFENSE HALL
TYPHO: Why isn’t the generator up?
LIEUTENANT: It’s hit sir!
EXT. THEED DEFENSE HALL
The building is decimated by a direct hit.
INT. THEED DEFENSE HALL
Captain Typho and everyone else in the hall is consumed by flames.
EXT. THEED
Hundreds of bombs – streaking into the city like meteorites, start slamming into the beautiful city, blowing it to smithereens. Space-to-ground lasers rip across the city blocks, erasing the civilized buildings.
INT. TRANSPORT COCKPIT
Obi-Wan leans forward and hits the accelerator. They collide with a fighter as they both go through the exit at the same time. As soon as they make it out into the air, the hangar is decimated by a direct hit.
INT. TRANSPORT COCKPIT
The fighter flies on, but the transport is out of control! It spins and pitches wildly, throwing Padme, the Jedi, and the droids around the cabin. It starts dropping and tumbling. R2-D2 flies forward, out of control, and smashes into the back of the transport pilot, knocking the pilot forward, then rebounding. The pilot slumps at the controls, unconscious, as the ship plummets.
PADME: Obi! The pilot!
EXT. PRECIPICE
The ship drops helplessly toward the plains, far down the precipice on which the hangar was built.
INT. DOOKU’S SHIP
The windscreen is consumed with fire as it enters the atmosphere of Naboo. It clears, showing a crystal blue sky, green, verdant plains, and Theed, being systematically destroyed.
Dooku commands his robot pilot.
DOOKU: Circle the target at a safe distance while I search for the Queen.
He closes his eyes, as if in meditation. The ship banks as they circle the tortured city.
DOOKU: There!
He points to the far side of the city, and the ship takes off.
INT. TRANSPORT COCKPIT
The ship is in freefall. The pilot is slumped at the controls. Obi-Wan fights the zero-g, and struggles to the controls as they drop faster and faster. Finally, he swims to the pilot, pulls him out of the way, and activates the auto-pilot. The ship levels out. Its belly scrapes the dirt just before it pulls back up. They level out.
Obi-Wan and Padme move the pilot out of the way. Suddenly, explosions surround the ship, knocking it out of control again! Obi-Wan takes the seat.
EXT. NABOO PLAINS
Dooku’s ship blasts wildly at the transport. Flack bursts all around it. It starts smoking and flaming.
INT. TRANSPORT COCKPIT
KENOBI: I have to set down, we’re coming apart! Strap in!
Padme and he strap in, just as Obi-Wan banks along a river gulley as his pursuers blow the transport to pieces. Finally, he plunges the ship down into the river. It skips, then tumbles, and comes to a stop at the river edge, sinking into the mud and reeds even as it burns.
INT. TRANSPORT COCKPIT
The ship is upright, though at a severe angle.
KENOBI: Get out! Run for cover!
They unbuckle and leave, followed by the droids. Kenobi drags the unconscious pilot.
INT. DOOKU’S SHIP
They circle back for another pass. We see Padme and Obi-Wan exiting the ship. Dooku swoops in, firing his lasers.
KENOBI: Padme!
He throws his palm toward her, pushing her like a fly up the river bank, out of the line of fire. She splashes into the water and the reeds. Stitching laser fire rips the ground toward Obi-Wan as he ignites his blade. A massive torrent of fire fixes on him, but he miraculously deflects the bolts. He angles his saber, and sends a volley of bolts back up into the belly of Dooku’s ship! Smoke bursts from the belly.
INT. DOOKU’S SHIP
Sparks fly. A fire-suppressor kicks in, filling the cockpit with smoke. A window cracks to let it out. He commands his pilot.
DOOKU: Set down, I’ll finish this myself.
EXT. NABOO RIVER
The ship heads for the top of a grassy hill overlooking the river, and starts to land.
Obi-Wan runs to Padme, and helps her up. She’s covered in mud.
KENOBI: Sorry about that.
PADME: No, we’ll make them sorry.
She produces a blaster. On the hill above them, Dooku steps out of his ship, flanked by super battle droids. They unleash on the pair.
Kenobi deflects the shots as Padme fires from behind his cover. It’s overwhelming! Fire pummels them, and a burst smashes next to Padme, throwing her back and leaving her immobilized on the ground behind Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan, furious, charges Dooku and his robotic troops! With a primal scream he runs up the hill, deflecting shots as he attacks. The droids are taking hits! A bolt hits a droid, and splash damage hits Dooku in the arm. He grunts, and furiously ignites his saber.
Obi-Wan is still advancing! With great anger, Dooku unleashes a torrent of Force lightning. Obi-Wan dodges, running up the side, and Dooku pans to his right, pouring the energy right through a flank of his droids. They shiver and break down, even as Obi-Wan cuts his way through them. The last droid falls, and Obi-Wan’s saber is finally blocked by Dooku’s.
The Jedi is too close for the droids to blast. A super battle droid drops a hammer blow on Obi-Wan, narrowly missing. Obi-Wan finds himself in close quarters combat with two droids and Dooku. One droid is dropped by Obi, but the second is able to get a vice-grip on his saber arm and neck. The droid crunches Obi-Wans wrist, and he drops his saber.
Dooku gestures to a remaining droid that was getting up from a knock-down hit. He points to Padme.
DOOKU: Slay her!
The droid shambles off toward Padme.
Dooku attacks the helpless Obi-Wan with a stab of his saber. At the last second, Obi-Wan reaches behind his back, and produces a second saber! He parries the blow, and nearly takes Dooku’s head off! Dooku ducks. Obi-Wan slices the droid restraining him, and, free, attacks Dooku – with one arm!
Combat ensues. They trade blows, and then Obi-Wan hits the Sith’s saber so hard, it reels the old man backward. Obi-Wan, injured, doesn’t pursue, but backs off, regaining his strength.
KENOBI: You’ve grown weak, old man. You’ll lose this time.
Dooku is worried. He has suddenly realized that he might not win.
In the distance, Theed is a torch on top of a cliff. Night is falling. Far above them, the stars seem to explode as the Republic Fleet catches up to the remnants of the Seperatists.
Kenobi hear’s a scream, and glances toward Padme. The droid is almost on her!
Padme, lying prone, fires at the droid. Her weapon only makes a click. Either it’s out of ammo or it’s damaged, either way it doesn’t function. She tries to stand, but can’t. The droid starts firing at her, and she slips into the water, where the bank gives her precious centimeters of cover.
KENOBI: No!
Dooku attacks! The trade hard blows as Obi-Wan struggles to break away from the Sith to save Padme.
The metal monster is almost on Padme. She slips under the muddy, shallow water, surrounded by impacts. Suddenly, R2-D2, flying on his space maneuver rockets on full blast, comes streaking a few feet over the ground, and rams the super battle-droid like a cannon shell. R2-D2 goes flying away and crashes into the ground. The battle droid was knocked to its knees, but stands again, only to be confronted by 3PO
C3-PO: Stop, you brute!
He attacks the battle droid, arms flailing with no more strength than wet noodles. The droid knocks the protocol droid away, and then turns a blaster on him – blowing him away with a close, direct hit!
The battle droid turns on Padme, tracking her location. He sees a swirl of water. Padme surfaces for breath, then drops down under the bank. The droid unloads on her, advancing and firing. The water all around her boils and steams!
On the hillock above them, Obi-Wan and Dooku fight with great fury. Finally, Obi-Wan kicks Dooku away.
With one powerful movement, Obi-Wan hurls his saber at the droid! It’s over fifty meters, but the glowing weapon spins end over end, its flight ending as the blue blade pierces the droid’s center of mass, its tip sticking out of the droid’s chest. It quivers and falls down next to Padme, destroyed.
Dooku signals to his pilot. His ship starts to take off. It rotates its chin turret towards Obi-Wan, ready to blast him to pieces at point-blank range. Seeing this at the last minute, Obi-Wan reaches toward the ship and concentrates. Inside the cockpit, a panel of levers flips down, as if by invisible hands. On the hull of the ship, control jets fire, as do the accelerators! The ship roars over them, spins out of control, and then crashes into a hillside, exploding.
Obi-Wan Force pulls his first saber from the ground, into his hand, and ignites it. He points it at Dooku as the count stands back up.
KENOBI: You’re all out of tricks, Sith. Extinguish your saber.
Dooku relents. His saber dies out. But then, he springs to life, attacking Obi-Wan and igniting at the same time.
DOOKU: Never!
Dooku attacks, feints, and attacks. His feint was successful, and Obi-Wan barely dodges, and the tip of the Sith’s saber scrapes down his chest, momentarily catching his tunic on fire as the blade passes through the material and scratches Obi-Wan’s flesh. Obi-Wan recoils in pain, but then attacks. He delivers an overhand blow so strong that Dooku’s saber is pushed back, and Obi-Wan’s cuts deep into the Sith’s shoulder. Dooku cries out as he sinks to his knees. Obi-Wan never stops and an upward swing cuts down the Sith apprentice – permanently.
Obi-Wan looks up. He can only see the steaming, burning spot on the river where Padme was.
KENOBI: Padme!
He runs down the hill to her. She crawls out of the water, wet and bloody. Obi-Wan helps her.
KENOBI: Where are you injured?
PADME: My arm… My legs.
She sees Theed, now a firestorm.
PADME: Oh, no…
KENOBI: Dooku’s dead. Rest here, I’ll get help.
He covers Padme with his cloak and tries to make her comfortable, and then runs up to the hill. Night has now fallen. Above them, among the stars, a battle blazes. Fires burn from the crashed ships, and Theed’s burning ruins cast an orange pall over the plains. Obi-Wan searches the horizon, trying to come up with an idea.
On Dooku’s wrist, a com link is flashing. Obi-Wan drops to the dead Sith and picks takes the comlink off. It’s still blinking. Obi-Wan is curious. Kneeling, he puts the link on his wrist and activates it. A holoprojection of Darth Sidious appears before him.
The Dark Lord is looking the other way – off camera. His hood is down, and he’s indistinct. For a moment, we hear the voice of Chancellor Palpatine as he calls.
PALPATINE: I’ll be there momentarily.
He dons his hood, and turns, speaking before he fully faces the camera. Obi-wan watches, astonished.
SIDIOUS: Lord Tyranus, is the senator dead?
He pauses, then recoils slightly. For a second, Obi-wan can see most of the impressions of the Chancellor.
KENOBI: The senator is alive. But perhaps you’ll be satisfied with the death of your apprentice?
The Sith’s face curls into a mask of hatred.
SIDIOUS: Obi-Wan Kenobi. You will die a thousand deaths for this.
KENOBI: I’m growing tired of killing your pupils. Where are you so that I may finish you myself?
SIDIOUS: Fool. If you cannot see me already, you never will. It’s too late for you and your kind now, Jedi scum. You’ve won this skirmish, but the Sith already rule the Galaxy – and you are helpless to stop us.
The image fades out.
Obi-wan works the comlink, tracking the transmission. It cycles through routing destinations before dying out – on Coruscant.
KENOBI: Coruscant. I don’t believe it.
He tries to work the comlink, but can’t decipher the encryption.
KENOBI: Blasted encryption.
He drops the comlink. Kneeling, he closes his eyes and concentrates. The images fades into the scenes of battle from which they have just emerged victorious, and ends on Padme injured, lying under Obi-Wan’s cloak.
INT. GUARD CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS – CORUSCANT
Anakin is in deep meditation. He opens his eyes. In his mind he sees the images Obi-Wan has broadcast all the way from the Middle Rim.
ANAKIN: No!
He stands and grabs his cloak. He runs out into the hall, almost bumping into masters Yoda and Windu.
WINDU: Stop. Where are you going in such a hurry?
ANAKIN: Naboo is under attack! Obi-Wan and Padme are in trouble. I must ask permission from the Chancellor to go!
WINDU: Wait. The Senate has ratified the new laws. The Order is no longer and official body.
Anakin is too stunned by the news to decipher what Windu just said.
ANAKIN: I don’t care, I have to go!
INT. CHANCELLOR’S CHAMBER
Darth Sidious watches on a monitor as the city of Theed is destroyed. On another screen, from a low perspective, he sees Obi-Wan kneeling. He shuts the monitors off and throws back his hood and peers into the light. He is seething with rage.
Slowly, he composes himself. He removes his dark cloak, and it shrinks to a tiny, pocket-sized piece of material that he deposits in the sleeve of his diplomatic robes. He turns to the door and enters his office. He has now transformed himself entirely from a seething Sith to Chancellor Palpatine, bursting with impatience. His bag is in his hand.
PALPATINE: Colonel Skywalker. I didn’t know this was your shif –
ANAKIN: Sir, I must rush to Theed on Naboo. The city is under attack, and my wife and friend are in danger.
Palpatine is taken aback, but he is sympathetic.
PALPATINE: I was just briefed on the news. Without question – go, now. And please, send in the Jedi, they’re here to discuss the Senate’s latest blunder.
ANAKIN: Thank you. Captain Sido will take my place sir. I’ll be back shortly.
He reaches for his bag, which is resting on the floor. Palpatine waves his hand ever so slightly, and Anakin seems to change his mind, leaving the bag there. He is in too much of a hurry to think, and heads for the door.
Yoda, Windu, and Ki-Yhouz are standing there. Captain Sido is standing guard at the door. Anakin nods to them.
ANAKIN: The Chancellor is waiting for you. Captain Sido, you’re in command pending my return.
Anakin hurries down the hall. The Jedi and Captain Sido enter the Chancellor’s office.
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